Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

INXS

Australian rock band headed by singer Michael Hutchence (b 12 Jan. '60, Sydney, NSW; d 22 Nov. '97), son of a salesman. Family lived in Hong Kong; returned to NSW at 13, met Andrew Farris (keyboards) at school. Family split up, mother took Hutchence to LA but he returned to Sydney '79, formed band called Farris Brothers with Andrew, Jon (drums), Tim (guitar), plus Kirk Pengilly (guitar, sax), Garry Beers (bass). Changed base to Perth, name to Inxs (pron. 'In Excess'); back to Sydney, recorded for Deluxe label; second single 'Just Keep Walking' '80 made Down Under top 40; first LP Inxs '80, next two singles and LP Underneath The Colours also successful '81; (US debut The Inxs; 12]im[ EP Dekadance, all releases on Atco/Atlantic in USA). Top five LP Shabooh Shoobah, single 'The One Thing' hits all '82; Shoobah made top 50 USA LPs '83, 'Thing' also made USA top 30. Toured USA twice; producer Nile Rodgers heard them, shaped hit 'Original Sin' '83 (no. 58 USA, hit in France, Australia). It was written in Florida, as was 'Melting In The Sun', both on LP The Swing '84. 'We walked down the beach and got tar on our feet [from oil slicks]. Walked back and we got ripped off on drink prices. It's like Manhattan on the beach.' Later they decided they liked Florida after all; toured there late '85 for LP Listen Like Thieves, single 'This Time', followed by Kick '87. Seen as Aussie Duran clones by some, they had staying power; support on tour was Boston guitarist Jon Butcher, who got good reviews; Kick and X '90 were top five in USA; Live Baby Live '91 had a limited edition package with a tour book; Welcome To Wherever You Are and Full Moon, Dirty Hearts (with guest Chrissie Hynde on title track, Ray Charles on another) were welcomed by David Sinclair in The Times: 'Wouldn't it be great if more rock stars ... simply got on with enjoying the job they're paid so well to do?' The inevitable Greatest Hits album came '94. Living in London, Hutchence was in the news '96 for stealing Bob Geldof's wife, Paula Yates, author of Rock Stars In Their Underpants. The band's Elegantly Wasted '97 was more of the same. Hutchence had a drug problem and surprised everyone by hanging himself for no reason apparent to anyone but a rock star unable to grow up.